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We're students, just like you.
desi was built by two college students who got tired of the chaos. We're here to make finding and subleasing housing actually simple.
Our Story
Why we built desi
We've been there. Scrolling through endless Facebook groups at 2am, DMing random people on Instagram hoping they're not scammers, getting ghosted after showing interest in a sublease. It's exhausting.
When Sami was searching for housing near FSU and Sebastian was helping friends navigate the Miami housing scene at FIU, we realized the same problem existed everywhere: finding student housing is unnecessarily complicated.
You've got 10 different Facebook groups for one campus. Instagram posts with zero verification. Group chats where the good places get snatched in minutes. And don't even get us started on trying to sublease when you study abroad or do a summer internship.
We thought: there has to be a better way. So we built it.
desi brings everything into one place. A comprehensive directory of off-campus housing options, verified student subleases, and a community you can actually trust. No more bouncing between platforms. No more sketchy deals. Just simple, secure student housing.
The Vision
Learn about our mission.
Our mission at desi is to simplify the student living experience by making housing searches and subleasing effortless.
Born from the founders' own frustration with a fragmented and competitive market, desi solves the chaos of college living. We streamline the process by combining a comprehensive directory for off-campus housing with a verified student marketplace.
Bridging the gap between finding and subleasing student housing.
Simple Searching
Unified database tailored to your campus needs.
Simple Subleasing
Safe, verified interactions within your community.
Our Team
Meet the founders.
Sami Valad
Co-Founder
sami@desi.casaI am a first generation student at Florida State University studying Accounting and Finance. Currently, I serve as VP of Finance for the Real Estate Society at FSU. I have deep passion for real estate and entrepreneurship.
Sebastian Gonzalez
Co-Founder
sebas@desi.casaI am a first generation student at Florida International University studying Computer Science. Currently, I am a junior web developer and junior technician at FIU. I am passionate about all things fullstack development.
Our Values
What we stand for
Trust & Verification
Every student verifies their .edu email. Property managers are vetted. You're connecting with real people in your community.
Student-First
We're students ourselves. We built this because we needed it, and we're constantly improving it based on what actually helps.
Simplicity
No more juggling 10 Facebook groups and Instagram DMs. Everything you need in one place.
Transparency
Real feedback from real students. No hidden fees. No shady dealings. Just honest housing info.